Adjustable latch or closure device



Aug. 8, 1933.

e. EBER ET AL 1,920,975

ADJUSTABLE LATCH 0R CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Feb. 11, 1931' 2 Sheets-Sheet. I

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A TTORN g- 1933- G. L. E BER ET AL ADJUSTABLE LATCH OR CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Feb. 11, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet, '2

I I l 1 I IF a 2 0 MR n mag m V 8 m m; T ifiim akwflm A w W a 4 f c Y B llllL 10. 'to each other; a further object being to project being to provide adevice of the class derespectto the device independent of the movev container; and with these and other objects in -claimed. I

Patented Aug. 8, 1933 IATES earn 1,920,975 ADJUSTABLE LATCH 0R CLOSURE DEVICE I George LIE ber and Jacob Eber, BronmN'. Y. Application February 11,1931. Serial No. 514,928 c 8 Claims. (01. 292-) This invention relates to closure devices adapted for use inlconne ction with relatively movable body members such for example as the telescoping members or parts of a suitcase, trunk, box or the like; and the object of the invention is to provide a latch or closure device involving an adjustable element or elements whereby the separate parts or members may be secured in difierent positions of adjustment and secured against movernent in one direction with respect vide means for quickly releasingthe securing or latching means of the separate devicesto fac'ilitate the quiclr'separation or detachment of the respective parts or members; a further obscribed" including means for'locking the same in diiierent positions of'adjustment and still further to the provision oi means for movably supporting one or" the parts or members with ment of the deviceitself; a further object being to provide a single meansfor actuating two latch or secu'ringun its of the class described constituting part of one complete box or other view, the invention consists in a device and article of manufacture of the class specified, which is'siinple'in construction, efiicient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts of our improvement are designated by suit able reference characters in each of the views,

and in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic, sectional plan View through a container indicating one method of V arranging our improved securing devices in connection therewith, the section being on the linel-1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 isa section on the line 2--2 of Fig.1, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a section on-the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, on'an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the container shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive inclosedposi- Fig. 9 is a partial section on'the line 9- 9 of Fig. 8; and,

Fig. 10 is a partial section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

While our invention is adaptable for many uses, for the purpose of illustrating'one method of carrying the invention into effect, we have shown in the accompanying drawings the same applied to such articles of manufacture known as telescoping, collapsible and extensible boxes, bags,

suitcases, trunks and the like.

In the drawings, 11 represents'one part or rnernber of such article, and 12 the other part telescope; ing or otherwise collapsible with respect to {the part 11. Both of said parts may be constructed of any suitable material including the usual facing's, linings, reinforcements-and the like commonly employed in the production of articles of the class hereinbefore mentioned, all of which structural details have been eliminated in order to simplify the showing of the invention. For the purpose of description, the part 11 will be regarded as the main container and the part 12 as a cover therefor.

' Opposed walls'lla and 11b of the part 11' are provided, adjacent the ends thereof, with verti-' cally arrangedapertures l3. Movably disposed in the apertures 13 of the wall 11a are blocks 14, the outer ends which move through the apertures and project externally of said walls being relatively small and terminate in upwardly directed hinge lugs 15, to which are pivotally coupled hasps l6 cooperating with key-controlled locks 17 on the outer faces-of a corresponding side wall 12a of the part 12., y

Other blocks la are slidably mounted in the apertures 13 of the wall 112), and these blocks differ from; the blocks 14 simply by pivoting mounting plates 19 in connection with theouter ends of the blocks 18 forming a hinge structure for hingedly supporting the cover part 12 in con nection with the part 11, it being understood that the plates 19 are secured to the side wall 12b of the cover. Aside from this structural difference, the

blocks 14 and 18 are of identical construction, and

the brief description of one will apply to the other.

Each of these blocks constitutes a part of a latch or securing device.

In Figs. 5 'to 8 inclusive, one of the latch devices is shown in detail. These devices consist,

in the construction shown, of two rods 20 and 21 arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other and upon which the enlargedinner ends of the blocks 14 and 18 are mounted for sliding movement longitudinally with respect thereto, the rods passing through apertures in saidblocks. The upper and lower ends of said rods are coupled together and spacedapart by coupling strips 22 and 23 in which the rod20is rotatably mounted, said rod having longitudinally a adapted to be moved into'and out of engagement with a1spring actuated pawl 24 pivotally supported on the top of the enlarged inner end of the blocks 14'18 between the rods 20 and 21. A spring 25 is mounted on the rod 21 and serves to move the block slidably engaging said rod in an with the opposed unit having the block 18 by.

upward direction on the rod.

At the lower end of the rod 20 of each latch unit is secured a crank arm 26. The crank arm 26 of one unit'employing'the block 14 is coupled links 27-27a so that the rotation of the rod 20 in the blocks 14 will correspond ngly rotate the rods 20 in the blocks 18 in moving the ratchet teeth 20a into and out of engagement with the pawl 24 or from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown Fig. 6 or vice versa, in controlling the movement of the memberl2 upwardly with respect to the member 11.

'It will also be noted that the crank arms 26 of the units arranged on the wall 11a are coupled together by an operating rod 28, the operation of which is controlled by a knob 29 projecting through the wall 11a and having on the inner face of said wall a crank 30, the free end of which is provided with an elongated slot in which a pin 31 on the rod 28 operates. By rotating the knob 29 in different directions, the rod 28 may be 30 moved to the left or right with respect to the wall 11a as will be apparent, and impart in this operation, the two rotary oscillatory movements to be contributed to the rods 20 to move them into the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 or to move the 35 ratchet teeth 20ajof said rods into and out of engagement with the pawls 24.

At this time,- it will be understood that if the part 12 belocked or latched in predetermined position .with respect to the part 11 by virtue of the fact that. the pawls 24 are in engagement with the ratchets 20a on the rods 20 of all the latch units, audit is desired to open the box or case, by simply turning the knob 29 in aclockwise direction, the ratchet teeth will be disengaged from the pawls and the springs 25 will operate to automatically move the cover 12 upwardly. .By opening the'locks l'l securing the hasps 16 in position by means of a suitable key,

the cover 12 maybe swung into open position in themanner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 of the drawings, it being understood that this cover may assume any desired position with respect to the container part 11. The pivotal movement of the cover ,is performed when the sameis in the raised position, it being understood that in employing a comparatively deep cover, the same cannot be swunginto open position if the blocks 14l8 are locked at too low a. point on the container part 11. It will also be understood at this time, that to reset the cover inany desired'position upon the container 11, the knob 29 will be turned in an anti-clockwise direction to return the ratchet teeth 20a into engagement with thepawls 24. When the cover In the. accompanying drawings, the bar' 23 is' shown in spaced relation to the adjacent wall 11a ofthe container and this is simply for clearness of showing, it being understood that this bar will be so fashioned as to be arranged in close proximity to the inner surface of said wall.

We also preferably enclose the links 27-27a as Well as the rods 2021, blocks 14 and 18 and members 22 and 23 in, channel-shaped casings 32 and 32a, each casing extending from one unit on the front wall 11a across the bottom wall of the container 11 and onto the opposed wall 11b.

This will protect the clothes or other articles placed in the container llfrom coming in contact with the mechanism of the latch or securing devices which are employed. If desired, the protruding rod 20 and its controlling means may be arranged in a similar enclosure or built into the wallstructure of the container 11.

. We also preferably employ in conjunction with each of the apertures 13, shutter plates 33 and 34 loosely coupled together as seen at 35, the plate 33 being attached to the lower surface of the blocks 1418 whereas the plate 34 includes a flange 35 preventing displacement from the adjacent wall of the container. These plates serve to close the apertures 13, presenting a neat and finished external appearance, and also preventing dust and dirt from collecting in the case to inter fere with the operation of the latch and securing devices I We also preferably employ inwardly of the plates33 and 34, a liner plate 37 having apertures through which the blocks 14-48 pass, and this liner plate also-serves to protect and guard the mechanisms of the separate devices. It will be understood that the shutter plate 33 is movable longitudinally of the plate 34 when the blocks 14 -18 are moved downwardly in the apertures 13, and the interengagement of said plates at 35 causes the plate 33 to lift the plate 34 in the upward movement of the blocks 14-18.

By providing two pairs of latching units disdevice engaging the ratchet teeth 20a of each rod20 in this operation. It will be understood that the springs 25 are placed under compression, so that in the operation of opening the case or container, when the rods 20 are moved to disengage the ratchet teeth from the pawls, said springs will automatically function to raise the cover, permitting the movement thereof into open position when the hasp lock or other looking means is released.

It will be understood that our invention is not necessarily limited to the use of the two rods 20-21 in each unit, nor are we limited to any specific type of looking or securing means employed between the movable blocks 14-18 and the cover 12, nor in fact, to the use of the hinge connection of the cover with the blocks 18. Still further, our invention is not necessarily limited to the Specific means herein disclosed for controlling the operation of the rods 20, and various other changes in and modifications of the construction herein shown and described may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of our invention orsac'rific'ing its advantages.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of the casing, a guide rod in said casing, a block slidably engaging said rod within the casing and having a part projectingthroughthe casing, means spaced longitudinally of said rod adapted to be engaged by a member on said block for retaining the block against movement in one direction with respect to said rod, said rod being adjustable: to

move the means thereon out of engagement with said member to permit free movement of the block on'the rod in both directions, and means engaged by a member on said block forretaining the block, against movement in one direction with respect to said rod, said rod being adjustable to move the means thereon out'of engagement with said member to permit free movement of the block on the rod in both directions, and means in .the casing independent of said rod and cooperat ing with said block for retaining the same against rotationin the casing, said last named means involving a rod arranged in parallel relation to the first named rod and on which said block is slidably mounted.

3. A device of the class described comprising a casing, a guide rod in saidlcasing, a block slidably engaging said rod within the casing and having-a part projecting through the casing, means spaced longitudinally of said rod adapted to be-engaged by a member on said block for re taining the block against movement in one direction with respect to said rod, said rod being adjustable to move the means thereon out of engagement with said member to permit 'free move ment of the block, on the rod in both directions, means in the casing independent of said rod and cooperatingwith said block for retaining the same against rotation in the casing, and tensional means in theqcasing and cooperating with said block to move the same longitudinally of the rod in one direction. I

4. In acontainer having telescoping parts, a

latch device for retaining the container parts in different telescoped positions and permitting movement of said parts toward and from each means in said casing for guiding the block in its.

movement therein, said means involving a guide rod having longitudinally spaced teeth, a pawl onsaid block adapted to engage the teeth in said rod in one position of said rod to retain the container parts against separation, and means for rotating said rod to move said teeth out Mengagement with said pawl to permit free movement of the container parts with respect to each other.

5. In a container having telescoping parts, a

latch device for retaining the container parts class described comprising a with respect to the container. r

ber having a telescoping engagement with rereleasing all of said members.

in different telescoped positions and permitting movement of said parts toward and from each other, said device comprising a casing mounted in connection with one wall of one of said container parts adjacent an elongated aperture therein, a block slidably mounted in the casing and including a member projecting therethrough and through the aperture in said container part, means in said casing for guiding the block in its movement therein, said means involving a guide rod having longitudinally spaced teeth, a

pawl onsaid block adapted to engage theteeth in said rod in one position of said rod to retain the container parts against separation, means for rotating said rod to move saidteeth out of engagement withsaid pawl to permit free movement of the container parts with respect to each other, and the member of said block and the other container part having interengaging coupling elements for retaining said container parts against displacement.

- 16. The combination with a container, opposed walls of which. are provided with vertically arranged elongated apertures and a ,cover member having a telescoping engagementwith respect to said container, of latching devices involving members movable vertically in said apertures and having parts projecting outwardly through the container and to which said cover is adapted to be attached, and means involving a apertures in the walls thereof and cooperating with said members for retaining the same and said cover against movement in one direction pawl and rack within the container adjacent the I '7. The combination with a container, opposed V j walls of which" are provided with vertically arranged elongated apertures and a cover memspect to said container, of latching devices involving members movable vertically in said apertures and having parts projecting outwardly through the container and to which said cover is adapted to be attached, means involving a pawl and, rack within the container adjacent the apertures in the walls thereof and cooperating with said members for retaining the same and said cover against movement in one direction with respect to the container, and means for moving said pawl and rack into inoperative position permitting free movement of said members and the cover with respect to the container.

8. The combination with a container, opposed walls of which are providedwith vertically arranged elongated apertures and a cover member 130 having a telescoping engagement with respect, to said container, of latching devices involving members movable vertically in said apertures and having parts. projecting outwardly through the container and to which said cover is adapted to be attached, means within the container adjacent the apertures in the walls thereof and cooperating with'said members for retaining the same and said cover against movement in one direction with respect to the container, means for moving said last. named means into inoperative position permitting free movement of said members and thecover with respect to the container, and said last named means involving a single, manually operated control simultaneously 

